Friday, 30 November 2012

During my Japan trip, I purchased the Coffret D'Or Silky Fit Liquid Foundation SPF21 PA++ in Ochre B (3675yen, 25ml). Released in August 2011, the fragrance-free foundation is touted as containing 80% beauty essence fluid plus soluble collagen to help hydrate skin. The dimethicone and vinyl dimethicone cross polymer powder and Supple Skin Veil complex help to provide a soft silk-like finish. The ingredient list in English can be found on Ratzilla Cosme.
The squeeze tube packaging is easy to control and travel-friendly. The shade is a good match for my MAC NC20 skintone and does not oxidise on me.
It has a light fluid texture that blends easily, melding into the skin for a seamless finish. I usually prep my skin first with Murad Vitalic Energizing Pomegranate Moisturizer. While Silky Fit Liquid is easy to apply without a brush, but I find that using the Becca foundation brush gives a more flawless finish and allows more precise layering on areas where more coverage is needed.
I like the natural satin finish that makes my skin look healthier and more even-toned without a heavy mask-like effect. The lightweight texture is just right for my oily skin, not too dry and flat but not overly dewy either. It also provides good coverage of pores although a separate concealer is needed for the under eye area, very red blemishes and more severe pigmentation. It provides better coverage than the Canmake Perfect Serum BB Cream Light, which I reviewed recently.
In terms of oil control, it also performed well (although I should note that my skin gets less oily now that it's winter here) with blotting required every 2.5 to 3 hours. This together with the Paul & Joe Face Powder 001 (from the holiday coffret) have proven to be a perfect combination for me. Silky Fit Liquid has also been reviewed by Miss Elain-nio. It is available on Adambeauty.com.
Other products used for this look: Integrate Pure Big Eyes PK333, Fashionista Fashion Secret Gel Eyeliner in 24/7 Style, Lancome Blush Subtil in 02 Rose Sable, K-Palette Lasting 2Way Eyebrow S01 and 1Day Lash Perm, Bourjois Healthy Mix Correcting Concealer #51 and Addiction Miss You More Lipgloss.
For the second look, I used the same base products and Addiction Moroccan Rose holiday palette and Azalea lipgloss.
Of the four shades in the Moroccan Rose palette, the kohl eyeliner is the most impressive with its superb colour payoff and creamy texture. There is some fallout during the application process but this can be easily cleaned up.

Get 15% off FeelUnique.com with this code for a limited time only. There are no restrictions to number of times that the code can be used. (Excludes Stila, Gatineau, ghd, Ole Henriksen & Lily Lolo.)
Some of the attractive products on offer.

Thursday, 29 November 2012

For a sneak peek at the new Maquillage True Cheek which will be released on 21 January in Japan, do check out this Japanese blog and Kuri's Beauty Report. Available in two shades RD321 and PK332, the blush powder is dispensed through the built-in brush.

See more pics and the ad visual on Runa, here, here and on Shimozuma. Pic below by Marisol.
The Secret Glow includes a brush with bristles in three tones. It comprises a glow shade (top), a luminous shade (middle) and a nuance shade (bottom). Pic below by Abe Sawako.

Each spring, Chanel releases a limited edition makeup collection along with new whitening skincare products as part of its Le Blanc range. According to beauty journalist Tomoichi, the Les Delices du Chanel collection will be released on 22 February in Japan. Looks like it will include a shimmery white Joues Contraste, eyeshadow quad, Illusion D'Ombre, two lipsticks, two lipglosses and a pink face powder. Although the Le Blanc makeup collections are supposed to be Asia-exclusive, in recent years they have been available in the US usually as an exclusive for Nordstrom's Anniversary event in July.
There will also be a new Le Blanc Fluid Lumiere liquid foundation with SPF30 PA++ (6825yen, 6 shades) and makeup base in four shades. Pic below by Marisol.
Pic below from Voce.
The new whitening skincare products include an Intensive Night Whitening Treatment (34650yen, 7mlx4), which is supposed to be used over four weeks, and UV Essential sunscreens in SPF50 PA+++ and SPF30 PA++ versions (6300yen each). Pic below by Frau.
Pic below by Marisol.
While researching this post, I also came across this adorable Chanel snow globe, do check it out!

For Spring 2013, Shiseido will release two Luminising Eye Color Trio (4200yen, 3g) in RD711 Pink Sands and RD299 Beach Grass and a Luminizing Sating Face Color OR308 (4200yen, 6.5g) on 1 January in Japan. Formulated with Micromatic Color Pigments and Satin Smooth Pearl particles, these glide on with a silky consistency while the Dual Optimizing Powder provides lasting power and the S Hydro Wrap Vitalizing DE provides hydrating benefits.
Shiseido will also launch a revamped version of their popular Perfect Rouge (3675yen, 4g). The new formula incorporates a Red Illuminating Pearl and Micromatic Color Pigment for a silk-like shine and fresh, vibrant color. Volumising Oil provides a creamy texture while lips remain moisturised thanks to hyaluronic acid and S Hydro Wrap Vitalizing DE. It looks like the shade range is a mix of old and new, with favourites like RD514 Dragon being retained in the new line-up. The fifteen shades are: OR341, OR544, RD142 (used in the ad visual), RD304, RD305, RD514, RD732, PK303, PK307, PK343, PK417, RS306, RS320, RS347 and RS745.
There will also be a new Perfect Rouge Tender Sheer in 10 glossy, shiny shades (3675yen, 4g) with a chic red packaging. Aside from the ingredients listed above for Perfect Rouge, the Tender Shine formula also incorporates a Dewy Oil. The shades are PK301, PK410, BE302, BR503, RD205, RD304, RD506, RS307, RS508 and RS509.
The new global face of Shiseido for 2013 is Chinese model Sui He. See a video clip on Models.com of her being made up by Shiseido Artistic Director Dick Page.

Tuesday, 27 November 2012

Something truly special arrived in the post today, zipping from Japan to Switzerland by EMS in just four days.
The Addiction Moroccan Rose holiday coffret continues the theme of the past couple of collections. It is inspired by Creative Director Ayako's memories of her visit to Tangier, Morocco by sailing on a ferry across the Strait of Gibraltar. This was at the invitation of a friend to spend Christmas in Morocco, during Ayako's days as a student in France. To welcome guests, Moroccans scatter rose petals on the bed.
The coffret includes a Limited Compact and pink nail polish called Missing You More (to match the Addiction lipgloss of the same name). Since Japan Post strictly disallows the mailing of nail polishes overseas, I had the nail polish gifted to a dear friend who lives in Japan. In any case, the beautifully designed compact with the gold reflective lid was what stole my heart.
All the shades in the palette are new and exclusive. There is a plastic shield for the Kohl Eyeliner in the lower left corner.
The individual pans are easily removable through holes in the back of the case.
In the top right corner is a Cream Blush in medium dusty rose. The formula is that of Addiction's popular Cheek Stick.
The top left corner features the Eye & Face Color in Damask Rose, which is a mosaic blend of rose, beige, pearl grey and gold tones. This applies as a shimmery pale rose pink with a golden sheen. I think this is the first time Addiction has produced a multi-tone shade like that.
The dazzling gold eyeshadow has a shiny metallic finish.
The Kohl Eyeliner is a sooty black with bronze pearl, inspired by the starry desert nights. This has the creamier velvety texture found in the left half of the regular Kohl Eyeliner duos that is a joy to work with. The bronze shimmer particles are very refined and tiny, so I doubt they will be as visible on the eyelids as they appear in the arm swatches.
These swatches were done on bare skin without any primer. I layered each shade three times to get them to show up well. The sheerest shade is Damask Rose but it does layer smoothly without any patchiness. The gold shade has a more glittery finish but it does not feel dry or gritty to touch. The cream blush can be applied sheer for a natural tint of color or more intensely for a rosy flush.
One fan of the Moroccan Rose Compact is model Jessica Michibata who wore it on the BeauTV programme that she hosts. The coffret has also received very positive reviews on Cosme.net with an average rating of 5.8 stars out of a maximum of 7.
My treasured collection of Addiction holiday palettes, including Sleepless Nights (2011) and Dolly Bird (2010).
I purchased this set through Bring Bling JP, which charges an 8% fee of the purchase price. They take a few days to reply to emails, but overall everything went smoothly and I was very happy to be able to snag this coffret.

Monday, 26 November 2012

First 100 customers to have a Flawless Face demo at the Tangs counter will receive a travel-sized Tinted Moisturiser. Details in the emailer below. My top Laura Mercier recommendation would be their Caviar Sticks.

4. Treatment Gloss: Moisturising glossy balm that adds a hint of color. This comes in one shade, #01 Pure Pink. (2310yen)
5. Coloring Cheeks N: #1 Light Pink, #2 Light Coral and #3 Soft Beige Red. The new formula is designed to be long-lasting, with the three tones in each blush blending to provide a natural tint of colour. (2625yen for refill; 1575yen for case)

Although Lunasol's collections usually look much better in real life than the bland official visuals suggest, this collection looks too dull for my liking due to the preponderance of beige and brown tones. More pics on Kuri's Beauty Report and Beautist.